First English revolution

The First Revolution English (called English Civil War by the British historians), whose episodes proceeded between 1641 and 1649, leads to the setting in judgment of the king Charles Ier of England then to its decapitation the January 30th 1649 with Whitehall close to Westminster and to the establishment of a republic, the the Commonwealth which will last until 1660, date of the monarchical Restauration. This revolution is the most known conflict of the Guerres of the Three Kingdoms.

In 1688, one second revolution, very different from the first, conduit to a change of dynasty, it is the Glorieuse Revolution.

The reign of Charles Ier until 1642: walk towards the civil war

Since 1603, the same king reigns on the England, the Wales and the Scotland. However, Scotland and England were always two distinct kingdoms, laying out each one of a clean Parliament. Charles 1 {{er}}, king since 1626 wishes to carry out the dream of his/her father Jacques Stuart: to unify the England, the Scotland and the Ireland in the same kingdom. These aspirations worry certain English who fear for their rights. Indeed, Charles, like his father, claims divine right and does not accept the limits that the tradition imposes to king d' Angleterre. Other events contribute to tightening the situation. In 1625, Charles marries Henriette-Marie de Bourbon, a catholic.

until 1627: first subjects of discord

In 1627, the favorite of the king, the duke of Buckingham fails during a forwarding intended to break the seat of La Rochelle, the Parliament then undertakes against him a procedure of impeachment . The king answers by the dissolution of the Parliament. The new Parliament asks him to sign off the Petition Right . Charles accepts, because it needs the support of the Parliament to be able to raise new taxes.

1627-1640: the solitary reign of Charles

Except for raising taxes, the king does not need Parliament. Charles needs money, but knows that it cannot count on a real support on behalf of the members of Parliament, and it abstains from convening a Parliament. It has recourse has means diverted to try to increase its incomes. These processes are not illegal, but are perceived like opposites with the spirit of the tradition, and they maintain rancours.

Religious reforms also cause hostilities. In England, the Puritains show Charles to want to restore the Catholicisme. In Scotland, the dissensions are more serious still. Charles, wanting to unify the religious practices of these two kingdoms, seeks to impose a new book of prayer in Scotland. The company ends in riots, which enveniment and the civil war bursts, and the insurrectionists Scot are successes.

1640-1641: new Parliaments, new conflicts

In 1640, to face the rebellion Charles needs to raise new taxes. A new Parliament is convened. This one benefits from the occasion to expose its objections to the king who dissolves it at the end of a few weeks, it is the " short parlement". Charles thus takes again the war in Scotland without new financial means. But, vis-a-vis an intolerable financial position, he resigns in November to convene a new Parliament.

The new Parliament still shows itself more hostile in Charles. It makes pass several laws intended to defend its rights against the royal capacity, in particular the Grande Remonstrance. The Parliament prohibits in particular to the king to dissolve it.

First civil war (1642-1648)

The First civil war takes place of 1642 with 1645. The Long Parliament circumvents the will of the King and assembles an army directed by the count d' Essex in order to counter a Scottish invasion as well as the actions of recovery of being able of the king by the Royalist S .

Royalist forces, is distinguished a nephew from the king, the parliamentary Prince Rupert and forces, a puritan representing at the Parliament, Oliver Cromwell. Following turnings of the beginnings of the First civil war, the New Model Army is formed by the Parliament.

The Bataille of Naseby is the key battle of the First English revolution. The July 14th 1645, the army of Charles Ier of England is destroyed by that of the Parliamentarian S , New Model Army, is directed by Thomas Fairfax.

The end of the first civil war is marked by the retirement of the King with a Scottish army with Southwell.

Second civil war (1648-1649)

The Second civil war takes place of 1648 with 1649. New Model Army puts in rout royalist Insurrection S in the Surrey and the Kent. With the battles of Preston, it puts an end to a Scottish invasion. It is a key battle of the First English revolution, gaining the victory over the royalist and the Scot.

Decapitation of Charles Ier

Any member of the House of Commons which is not side of the religion of the Independents or side of the Grandees , the senior officers of New Model Army, is withdrawn from force of the Parlement. The very reduced Parlement tail makes pass a law so that the king is judged. He is considered to be guilty of high treason on January 30th 1649 and will be decapitated on February 9th.

Third civil war (1649-1651)

The Third civil war takes place of 1649 with 1651. While the Conquête cromwellienne of Ireland continues, part of New Model Army is recalled in Scotland in order to fight against the Covenanter S , at the beginning of the Third civil war.

Charles II is in exile and endeavors to take the command of the Scottish armies.

See too

Internal bonds

History of England
Glorious Revolution or Second English Revolution

External bond

The constitutional documents off the Puritan revolution 1625-1660

Simple: Civil English War

Random links: